'A cowardly act of terror'

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says attack on Manhattan's west side being treated as terrorism.

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Elad Benari, 01/11/17 01:06

Bill de Blasio

Yonatan Sindel/Flash 90

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Tuesday evening that the attack on Manhattan's west side, which killed at least eight and injured over a dozen more, is being treated as terrorism.

"Let me be clear that, based on the information we have at this moment, this was an act of terror, and a particularly cowardly act of terror aimed at civilians, aimed at people going about their lives, who had no idea what was about to hit them," he said in a press conference, according to the Washington Free Beacon.

"We at this moment, based on the information we have, we know of eight innocent people who lost their lives, and over a dozen more injured," he added.

Tuesday's attack occurred when a vehicle drove onto the bike lane in lower Manhattan, striking several cyclists. The driver was reportedly in possession of several fake guns.

Fox News reported that the driver shouted "Alahu Akbar!" as he was carrying out the attack. Police have taken him into custody.

President Donald Trump was briefed about the incident and later referred to it on Twitter as "another attack by a very sick and deranged person."

"Law enforcement is following this closely. NOT IN THE U.S.A.!" he added.